Imagine Piece exhibit at the Collective Works Gallery. Photo © Hailey Finnigan, VibrantVictoria.ca.

As dawn broke, a warm sun stretched across a grassy field.  Two gargantuan blue eggs were nested beside some trees, illuminated by the sun.  Months of creativity and planning had culminated into the moment Deryk Houston had been waiting for.  The photos Houston took that morning are of his own sculptures: constructed from plastics and held together with cotton rope, the six foot by ten foot structures resemble two huge robin’s eggs.  They were moved around the grassy landscape as Houston photographed them in appropriately nest-like settings.  These photos are now on display at the Collective Works Gallery, at 1311 Gladstone Ave. until Dec. 3rd.  Six large images are printed onto plastic sheets very similar to the material that covers the eggs and held up by nails fitting through metal grommets.  Candles on short plinths sit in front of each photograph.  The title of the show, “Imagine Peace,” is echoed in the serenity of the photos and the space.

After prolonged stays in Iraq, Houston wanted to make art about war and peace.  Houston explained that he traveled to Iraq seven years ago because he wanted to know the truth about the conflict.  He felt betrayal, seeing firsthand the actions of the Canadian government.

Photo © Hailey Finnigan, VibrantVictoria.ca.

Human life was not valued.  Houston would not describe himself as being political, but he makes clear his feelings about Canada’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.  “Life is precious and I think I was able to communicate that to the Canadians I talked to while I was in Iraq. I believe that open dialogue really made a change.”  “That is why this show looks the way it does,” he continued, “I want people to come here and think about peace, think about what we want to achieve.”  Houston’s own experience in Iraq inspired the show, but “for the viewer, these ideas can be universal.”  Despite having lived in a warzone, Houston keeps things positive.  “You wouldn’t think an art show inspired by violent conflict would look like this.  There are no bullet holes, no bodies.  It’s a little unexpected.”

When asked about the process involved in making this show happen, Houston revealed that it required a lot more planning than his previous projects, which are usually more spontaneous.  It required months, not only to design and make the eggs, but also to arrange all the logistics for the photo shoot at Beacon Hill Park.

Photo © Hailey Finnigan, VibrantVictoria.ca.

When asked if he felt mischievous running around the park with giant eggs, Houston laughed and said the pressure and responsibility of ensuring things went to plan took away any mischievous feelings.  “Until I got to taking pictures.  That’s when things went from panic to excitement.”  Houston’s team moved the eggs around with rods inserted into either end.  “I enjoyed finding different locations for the photographs.”

Through his travels and his art, Houston is determined to make a positive change.  To others wanting to spread a similar message, he suggests, “Always have hope.  You can truly make a real difference to the world and to the lives of others.”

Hailey Finnigan is the author of phART, a Victoria-based arts blog.

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